I. THE PARTICIPLE PRESENT

in ant as a verb or an adjective.

1. When expressing, as the English Participle in ing, continuance of action, it is purely verbal, and therefore invariable.

2. When qualifying a noun it becomes an adjective, and must agree with it. Compare:

PARTICIPLES. ADJECTIVES.

J'entends les marteaux frappant Les marteaux frappants firent l'enclume. I hear the hammers trembler l'édifice. The striking striking the anvil. hammers made the building tremble.

Les enfants obéissant à leurs Les enfants obéissants font la maîtres sont loués. Children joie de leur parents. Obedient obeying their teachers are children are the joy of their praised. parents.

J'entends des gens vociférant J'entends des gens vociférants dans la rue. dans la rue. I hear people vociferating in the I hear vociferating people in the street. street.

3. It is always invariable when preceded by en, while, by, in, on, or when accompanied by a negation.

Ces jeunes filles en étudiant toujours avec le même soin, ne peuvent manquer de réussir. These girls, by studying always with the same care, can not fail to succeed.

Des écoliers n'étudiant pas ne peuvent jamais réussir. Pupils not studying can never succeed.